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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04] MinutesCITY OF ST. JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AURTHORITY Meeting Minutes -Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Present: EDA Board Members Carolyn Yaggie-Heinen, Ken Jacobson, Tom Skahen, and Dale Wick. Absent: AI Rassier. Also present: Brian Anderson, Joe Walz, SCSU Students Christine Smith and Carly Ohman, and EDA Consultant Cynthia Smith -Strack of Municipal Development Group. Chairperson Wick called the February 25, 2009 regular meeting of the St. Joseph EDA to order at 3:02 p.m. Agenda. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda and suggested item 6a be moved to the second item on the agenda. Moved by Skahen, seconded by Jacobson to approve the agenda with the requested change. Motion carried 4-0. Guests: Brian Anderson and Joe Walz Wick introduced the guests. The EDA in January requested the developers be invited to an EDA meeting to discuss their plans for the Walz property. A map illustrating the proposed route for CSAH 2 realignment was presented. Strack summarized the outcome of a City Council workshop held on February 10, 2009. The general consensus of the City Council is to focus on the area impacted by the CSAH 2 realignment, including resolving annexation issues, promoting the development of a master concept plan, and studying potential utility service extension options. Walz and Anderson requested information regarding access points to their property from the proposed realignment. Strack noted the a concept plan or development plan would be needed to drive the consideration of access points. A discussion the timing of construction ensued; project completion is anticipated to be 18 months, the starting timeline is unclear (2009 or 2010 for construction). Strack is to seek confirmation and notify developers. The EDA/Developers then discussed the concept of a master plan for the Walz property and the Gateway property. A master plan can be very detailed or more conceptual. The price varies widely depending on the scope of the plan and the level of detail included in the plan. The master plan concept would be needed prior to completion of an environmental study which is required prior to plat approval. The EDA/Developers also discussed a sanitary sewer master plan update authorized by the City Council to be completed by the City Engineer. The study will help the City determine the best possible means to service the future land use area with sanitary sewer mains. The study will not provide an internal (development) layout of sewer lines. The Developers were asked about a timeline for improving the property and potential phasing. The Developers indicated property ownership would be finalized within six months. The Developers felt that was the first order of business for them. After that time consideration of master planning could be contemplated. The Developers also indicated a preference for beginning development adjacent to the Gateway property as opposed to the area guided for commercial and industrial mixed use. The Developers and EDA discussed conceptual funding options and potential grant or low interest loan programs. It was noted a master plan would help solidify the concept which would in turn help to better establish potential costs and assistance needs. The EDA requested Strack provide the Developers with background information on conceptual funding options. The information is to be broad in scope and for information only. The EDA expressed support the development concept and indicated they would be inviting Gateway property owners to their March meeting. Approval of Minutes. Chairperson Wick introduced the minutes from the January 28, 2009 regular meeting. Motion by Skahen, second by Heinen to approve the minutes from the January 28, 2009 regular meeting. Motion carried 4-0. EDA Accounts Payable. Wick introduced the topic. Wick noted accounts payable for the month which totaled $2,545.68. Motion by Heinen, second by Jacobson to approve the EDA accounts payable for fhe month of February 2009 in the amount of $2,545.68. Motion carried 4-0. Financial Report. Wick introduced the agenda item. Wick noted the packet included financial reports. Strack referenced the Treasurer's Report which illustrated year to date expenses of $10,402.00 and a year-end (unaudited) fund balance of $9,481.88. Motion Skahen, Second Heinen to approve the January 2009 financial reports as presented. Motion carried 4-0. City Council Workshop Results Wick introduced the topic. Strack reported that the Council priority for 2009-10 is to capitalize on the new segment of arterial roadway being constructed by Stearns County. The City Council would like to focus on resolving issues related to annexation, then master plan site concepts, and utility service concepts. The City Council also directed the scope of the project at this time be concentrated on getting municipal services to the north/south segment of the new roadway. The Council appreciates the concept of a high value west entryway into downtown but prefers to require aesthetic treatments as property develops versus as part of a construction project. The Council also appreciates the benefits of a trail corridor, but would like that to be installed as development occurs as well. The Council also recommended the EDA continue to work on the student residency change to attempt to quantify the economic impact and to work with property owners regarding future use of property. City Council addressed the Parkway Business Center and the potential for creating shovel ready industrial lots. Discussion indicated this was a project that was complete as far as the City could assist at this time. For example, utilities are to the site, the City had offered to issue an assessment bond to install improvements, and moving forward with the project was in the Developer's hands. In the event one area was to be a priority for industrial/commercial lot EDA Minutes -January 28, 2009 2 4 development from a marketability standpoint, the I-94 was thought to be more likely to sell more quickly. Some members of the City Council are skeptical about the progress being made on this issue. Some also appear to confuse this issue with residential rental unit conversion. Council Member Frank has indicated he'd like members of the St. Joseph Action Group to advise the EDA regarding this matter, especially as it relates to grants for the project and/or a `theme' for downtown. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda item and provided background information on the program. Wick stated the St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership has agreed to proceed with the creation of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The document is required to qualify for assistance under the federal Economic Development Administration public works, economic adjustment, and planning programs. The document is also a prerequisite for designation by the federal EDA as an economic development district. Wick noted federal EDA assistance from the 2009 Recovery Act (stimulus bill) could be available to St. Joseph including funds to assist with extension of utilities to the Walz property. 2009 EDA CIP Projects Wick introduced the agenda topic. At the January regular meeting the EDA Board requested an agenda item regarding the 2009 Capital Improvement Program be addressed at the February meeting. The packet included a summary of approved 2009 EDA Capital Improvement Program requests. The summary was approved by the City Council in mid-December of last year and is based on the EDA drawing down its fund balance as opposed to an additional allocation from the Ciry's general fund. As indicated earlier the fund balance at this time is below $10,000 so CIP funding is probably not a reality at this time. The CIP had included $10,000 for the Let's Go Downtown project and $10,000 for rental conversions. The EDA discussed the CIP budget with Chairperson Wick noting all departments of the City were asked to suspend CIP projects for 2009 due to a decrease in local government aid resulting from a state budget shortfall. The EDA conceded CIP projects were not likely to be undertaken in 2009. Project Updates Wick introduced the topic. Strack provided the following updates: 1. The City Council approved the CSB/SJU residency change fiscal impact study contract with SCSU on February 19~'. The study is underway with Carolyn Yaggie Heinen functioning as the liaison between CSB/SJU and SCSU. The hand drawn maps reviewed at the previous meeting were converted to GIS data and are available upon request. You may have heard that several Minnesota non-profit agencies were awarded $6.3 million in grants from the Federal Home Loan Bank. The grants and forgivable loans are for rehabbing foreclosed homes and helping new owners with a down payment. The Stearns County HRA had applied for the assistance and asked member communities to submit information on foreclosed homes. In St. Joseph a few clusters of foreclosed properties in the Liberty Point development and the Sunrise Cottage- CIC were specifically mentioned to the Stearns County HRA. We are awaiting additional information regarding grant status. 3. The article in the February 18`~ edition of the St. Cloud Daily Times is correct in stating the only transportation project in the St. Cloud area that received funding from the federal economic stimulus package was the extension of 28"' Avenue in Waite Park. The St. Cloud APO had assembled/submitted a number of potential projects to MnDOT which selected priorities. EDA Minutes -January 28, 2009 3 5 4. The City has received site plans for review by the Planning Commission for the construction of a new member-owned financial institution. The building will go up next to the new CentraCare clinic. Construction will begin this Spring. 5. The City has received a proposed plat to split Lot One, Block One of the Buettner Business Park into four 1.2 acre commercial lots. This site is just to the west of the CentraCare/Coborns site. Construction of a new professional building is proposed for April 2009 in conjunction with the new plat. Board Member Reports Jacobson reported he and other members of the Fire Department have been researching, authoring, and submitting grant requests. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned by consensus at 5:05 PM. EDA Minutes -January 28, 2009 4 6